CSP ImageModeller 0.1

This Tool is a very simpe 3D-Modelling Tool I wrote in 3 Days. Don't expect a complex
Program like Maya or something. It can be used to model Low Poly Meshes, mainly Human or
Animal Faces. You also might try to model Bodies etc. The most significant Advantage compared
to Maya: it's Freeware :). (The ImageModeller will be called 'IM' in the following Text)

This Help Text will guide you through the Process of Mesh Creation using IM.

Step 1

You need 2 Pictures of the Object you want to create. One should be a Front View, the
other one a Side View. The angles (0 and 90 or 270 Degrees) should be as exact as possible.
These Images should have the same height and width. 512*512 Pixels are recommended.

You will have to scale/edit the Images in any Paint-Program in a way that all significant
Points have the same height in both Images. Ie. If you want to model a Human Face then the
Eyes should be on the same height as well as Forehead or Mouth etc. If you have a Webcam,
then you can easily digitize yourself.

Step 2

Load the two Images as left and right Picture in IM. Now select the CREATE Vertices Mode.

Start to create Vertices. They are created at Mouse-X / Mouse-Y / Middle Position,
depending on if you create them in the Side View or in the Front View. I.e. If you
create one on the top of the Nose on the Front View, then you'll have to move (drag)
this Vertex on the Side View to define the Z-Position.

The Goal is to produce Vertex-Points for all significant Contours of the Human Face.

Step 3

These Vertices will now be used to define solid Mesh-Triangles. Select the CREATE TRIANGLES
Mode. Click on a Vertex. A Rubber-Line will be shown from that Vertex to the Mouse.
Click a second Vertex now and you can already see a Rubber-Triangle. Now select the third
Vertex for this Triangle to finish the Triangle.

Note: You should always click the 3 Vertices CLOCKWISE ! If you do it counterclockwise,
the Normals are flipped and the Triangle is invisible in the Front View of the 3D-Preview.
(You can flip the Normals of a Triangle or delete a Triangle in the 'Edit Triangles'-Tool
if you were clicking accidently.)

Repeat this until the whole Human Face is covered by Triangles. It isn't easy to
find a good Alignement of the Triangles, but with a green Thumb and some Practice
you'll find your Way.

While you are working with Vertices and Triangles you are required to chanche the
Action Mode oftenly. Action Modes are a basic Part of the way IM works. There are the
following Modes:

SELECT Vertices Mode (Use LMB to select/unselect Vertices.)
MOVE Vertices Mode (Use LMB to drag all selected Vertices.)
CREATE Vertices Mode (Use LMB to create a new Vertex.)
CREATE TRIANGLE Mode (Use LMB to define a Triangle based on 3 Vertices)

I recommend to use the Hotkeys to chanche the Action-Mode if you are once familar with IM.

Tips for Problem Solutions
Eyes can be difficult to model. Specially the Eyelid. So you should do this as follows:

First set the Vertices in a way they don't overlap. Then create the Triangles. Then adjust
the Z-Positions. Finally move them to the desired X/Y-Position and allow them to overlap
if required.

Note: There's a Maximum of 10000 Vertices and Triangles in IM.
Assuming you are too lazy to create more than 1000 this shouldn't be a Problem.
Note: You can export only VRML 1.0. Probably you'll need
a Converter like the free 'Crossroads 3D'.
Note: This Program requires a Screen Resolution of 1024*768 Pixels
or higher! (As well as DirectX 7 and a 3D Card)
Note: You might load one of the Samples to see how it works.

Result
After a little Mesh-Smooth (in 3dsMAX) and Texturemapping with Lithunwrap (nice Tool!)
I come up with this Model:
(Screenshot from TV to compare)
Well - she's looking better IRL.

Kiddin...

Even a Guy like Putin is looking like a very silly Boy at her Side... LOL :P

Thanks to Jeppe Nielsen for the BBGui Functions!

contact: dietermarfurt@angelfire.com